POLS 230 Lobbying and Prez (H7)

Lobbying the White House

Presidents run serious risks when dealing with interest groups because…

• If they are seen spending time with lobbyist, the pubic might wonder why a few special interests are being favored at the expense of the national constituency

• Example: Bill Clinton with his campaign to promise to LQBTQ+ community to end discrimination in the military but it wasn’t backed by the public

Different Need

But Presidents sometimes need interest groups and lobbyist, but for different reasons than members of Congress. But what are the differences

1. The constituency cannot be dominated by any single group

2. The term cannot exceed 8 years, almost impossible to develop mutually beneficial long-term relations

3. Win national elections must assemble by unifying themes rather than hundreds of separate promises